Why Corpus Christi
CCREDC Annual Meeting 2024
Corpus Christi: Community Living At Its Best!
Corpus Christi and the surrounding region is culturally rich and diverse, offers excellent educational opportunities, beautiful climate, land- and sea-based recreation, a strong economy, exceptional healthcare facilities, and affordable living.
Sound too good to be true? We encourage you to visit the community and discover why Corpus Christi can say these things in confidence. If you visit, you may decide to stay and become a part of our progressive and delightful corner of the world.
We're experiencing an economic boom!
See the interactive map below detailing the $57 billion in economic investment in our region since 2012.
Brief History of the Region
In 1519, on the Roman Catholic Feast Day of Corpus Christi, Spanish explorer Alonzo Alverez de Pineda discovered a lush semi-tropical bay on the southern coast of Texas. The bay, and the city that later developed, took the name of the feast day celebrating the “Body of Christ."
Corpus Christi began as a frontier trading post, founded in 1838-39 by Colonel Henry Lawrence Kinney. It remained an obscure settlement until July 1845, when U.S. troops under General Zachary Taylor set up camp at the settlement in preparation for war with Mexico.
The city is now the largest city on the Texas coast and is the sixth largest port in the nation.
Cultural Amenities
American Bank Center. South Texas Museum of Art. Texas State Aquarium. Corpus Christi Performing Arts Center. Harbor Playhouse. Richardson Performance Hall. Asian Cultures Museum and Education Center. Selena Auditorium. Ortiz International Center. Corpus Christi Arts Center. Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. Concrete Street Ampitheater. Richard Borchard Regional Complex.
http://www.visitcorpuschristitx.org/see-and-do/
Recreation The Padre Island National Seashore is just outside the city and offers a pristine seashore environment. The Gulf of Mexico and the bays provide exceptional fishing, sailing, boating, and windsurfing opportunities. In fact, Corpus Christi is one of the top three windsurfing venues in the world. If you like hunting, the surrounding ranches are rich areas for bird and deer hunting. Corpus Christi is also home to pro sports. The Corpus Christi Hooks, the 2006 Texas League Champions, are a AA farm team of the Houston Astros. The Ice Rays hockey club is from the Central Hockey League, the Hammerheads are a team from the Intense Football League, and the Sharks are from the af2 Arena Football League.
Climate
Corpus Christi has a warm subtropical climate similar to those of Northern Florida cities, except that the city is located in a semi-arid region with less rainfall. The average highs in the summer months are in the 90’s with lows in the mid 70’s. Average highs and lows in January are 66 and 46 respectively.
Healthcare
Corpus Christi is one of the premier healthcare centers in the U.S. with four major hospitals on several campuses that serve South Texas, Mexico and Latin America. Driscoll Children’s Hospital is one of the top 20 children’s medical facilities in the nation.
Cost of Living and Housing
Corpus Christi has historically had a lower cost of living compared to other U.S. cities.
2021 Average Annual Cost of Living
|
Corpus Christi, Texas MSA |
89.3 |
|
Houston, Texas |
91.7 |
|
Savannah, Georgia |
87.6 |
|
Miami, Florida |
120.4 |
|
New Orleans, Louisiana |
111.2 |
|
Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
95.7 |
|
Baltimore, Maryland |
106.7 |
* Numbers based on the 2021 annual average ACCRA Cost of LIving assesment
The People Make the Place Special
Communities develop and grow because of their people…the fabric that makes a place special…special in which to live, work, and play. It is the people of Corpus Christi that have made and will continue to make this a special place. We are a proud, culturally rich population with many people from around the world calling Corpus Christi home. Visionary leadership has envisioned a community of the future and set about making that vision become reality. Our citizens, from all walks of life, work hard to make Corpus Christi a very special place to be.
Corpus Christi has it all…a business environment for growth and prosperity, quality of life for those who live and work in the community, and an international presence and understanding.